Pole-attached power tool systems

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a pole-attached power tool system, and related methods, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a pole-attached power tool system may include a pole having a first end, a second end, and an interior region; a handle disposed proximate to the first end of the pole; an electric motor disposed proximate to the first end of the pole; a power tool disposed proximate to the second end of the pole; and a drive member disposed within the interior region, the drive member mechanically coupled with the electric motor and the power tool to transfer power generated by the electric motor to the power tool.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of power tools,and more particularly, to pole-attached power tool systems.

BACKGROUND

Pole-attached power tools may be used to effectively extend a user'sreach and allow a user to work in hard-to-access environments. Thesetools may be unwieldy or difficult for a user to operate due to thelength of the pole, the weight and limited power of the gasoline engineor electric motor used to power the tool, and the environment in whichthe tool is to be used, among other factors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To facilitatethis description, like reference numerals designate like structuralelements. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a pole-attached power tool system,in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 2-4 are schematic illustrations of various embodiments of thepole-attached power tool system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts illustrative dimensions and a center of gravity of anembodiment of the pole-attached power tool system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the pole-attachedpower tool system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7-8 depict illustrative dimensions and centers of gravity of anembodiment of the pole-attached power tool system of FIG. 1 in variousconfigurations.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion of an embodimentof the pole-attached power tool system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 10-11 are flow diagrams illustrating processes for manufacturing apole-attached power tool system, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a pole-attached power tool system, and related methods,are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a pole-attached power toolsystem may include a pole having a first end, a second end, and aninterior region; a handle disposed proximate to the first end of thepole; an electric motor disposed proximate to the first end of the pole;a power tool disposed proximate to the second end of the pole; and adrive member disposed within the interior region, the drive membermechanically coupled with the electric motor and the power tool totransfer power generated by the electric motor to the power tool.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein like numeralsdesignate like parts throughout, and in which are shown by way ofillustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete actions oroperations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understandingthe disclosed embodiments. However, the order of description should notbe construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily orderdependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in theorder of presentation. Operations described may be performed in adifferent order than the described embodiment. Various additionaloperations may be performed and/or described operations may be omittedin additional embodiments.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A and/or B”means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the presentdisclosure, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B),(A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

The description uses the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “inembodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same ordifferent embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,”“having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of thepresent disclosure, are synonymous.

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down,back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used tofacilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict theapplication of disclosed embodiments.

The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, maybe used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended assynonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected”may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physicalor electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two ormore elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However,“coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in directcontact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with eachother.

With respect to the use of any plural and/or singular terms herein,those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to thesingular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to thecontext and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations maybe expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a pole-attached power tool system100, in accordance with various embodiments. The system 100 may includea motor/handle arrangement 102, a pole 110 and a power tool 114.

The pole 110 may have a first end 110 a, a second end 110 b, and aninterior region 110 c. In some embodiments, the pole 110 may be hollowand shaped substantially as a cylinder, although other cross-sectionalshapes may be used, such as oval, square, rectangular, etc. The pole 110may be formed from any of a number of materials, to achieve a desiredweight and strength. Examples of materials that may be used for the pole110 include aluminum, fiberglass, other metals, or any combination ofmaterials. In some embodiments, the pole 110 may have a length of atleast 2 feet. In preferred embodiments, the pole 110 may have a lengthof at least 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 or 13 feet. In some embodiments, the pole 110may be reversibly extendable. For example, the pole 110 may telescope.In embodiments in which the pole 110 is reversibly extendable, the abovevalues for the length of the pole 110 may be applied to any extended orretracted state of the pole 110. The pole 110 need not be formed from asingle member, but may include multiple members (e.g., multiple membersin a telescoping configuration).

The motor/handle arrangement 102 may be disposed proximate to the firstend 110 a of the pole 110. The motor/handle arrangement 102 may includea handle 104, an electric motor 106, a gear box 108, a battery 122, anda switch 116.

The handle 104 may be configured and positioned to be gripped by a userwhile the system 100 is in use. Although the handle 104 is described inthe singular, the system 100 may include two or more handles in variousembodiments. The handle 104 may be shaped in any manner suitable forgripping by a user. In some embodiments, the handle 104 may include aharness or shoulder strap. In some embodiments, the handle 104 mayinclude multiple regions configured to be gripped by a user. The handle104 may be formed from any of a number of materials, such as plastics,polymers, metals, or combinations of materials. In some embodiments, thehandle 104 may be injection molded. In some embodiments, the handle 104may be formed in a handle housing (not shown), which may include aninterior region in which one or more components may be disposed. Ahandle housing may include one or more regions which may serve as thehandle 104; these regions may be dimensioned to be gripped by a user,and may include additional material to improve a user's grip (such as arubber or synthetic material provided with ridges or finger rests).

The motor/handle arrangement 102 may include an electric motor 106. Insome embodiments, the electric motor 106 may be a DC motor. In someembodiments, the electric motor 106 may be an AC motor. In someembodiments, the electric motor 106 may be disposed in the interiorregion of the a handle housing. Electric motors (such as the electricmotor 106) may have a number of advantages over gas engines (typicallyused in many power tool applications). For example, gas engines requirethe user to provide liquid fuel (e.g., gasoline), which may be difficultto store and transport to remote locations. Gas engines are often louderthan electric motors, and generate exhaust and other fumes. Gas enginesare also typically heavier than electric motors, making it moredifficult for a user to carefully control a gas-based tool and causingadditional fatigue. However, when compared to electric motors of thesame volume, gas engines typically provide more power. Thus, manyexisting pole-attached tool systems have utilized gas engines instead ofelectric motors to achieve greater power.

In the system 100, the electric motor 106 may be disposed proximate tothe first end 110 a of the pole 110. This positioning of the electricmotor 106 represents a divergence from existing approaches to the designof electric pole-attached tool systems. Because such electric motorconfigurations typically provide less power than their fuel-basedcounterparts (as discussed above), existing electric pole-attached toolsystems have been designed to maximize the efficiency of power transferbetween the electric motor and the power tool. To this end, existingelectric pole-attached tool systems have positioned the electric motorclose to the power tool to minimize losses due to additional length andcomplexity of the drivetrain between the electric motor and the powertool. Consequently, existing systems position the electric motor faraway from the handle 104 and the user. Moreover, because the electricmotor is typically positioned far away from the user of an electricpole-attached tool system, designers have traditionally attempted tominimize the weight of the electric motor to reduce the torqueexperienced by the user and make the system easier to control. Theresult of this traditional approach has been electric pole-attached toolsystems with relatively small electric motors positioned close to thepower tool at the “far” end of the pole. This traditional approach hasbeen reinforced by the use of electric string trimmer platforms (inwhich the electric motor is located close to the trimming string) as thebasis for the development of pole-attached power tools.

The alternative approach disclosed herein represents a rejection of thetraditional model, and a reconsideration and balancing of design factorsin a novel way. For example, although more powerful electric motorstypically weigh more than less powerful motors (and in cordlessvariants, require heavier and more powerful batteries), the additionalweight of such a motor may not be problematic for a user if the weightis positioned in the pole-attached tool system in a suitable location.Indeed, not only may additional weight not be problematic, it mayadvantageously improve a user's ability to control the system if theweight contributes to the balance and stability of the system. Moreover,it may be less important to maximize drivetrain efficiency when a morepowerful electric motor is used because drivetrain losses may have arelatively smaller impact on overall performance.

Thus, in various embodiments of the electric pole-attached tool system100, the electric motor 106 (and/or its accompanying battery) may belarger and heavier than those used in existing electric pole-attachedtool systems, and may include a lossier drivetrain, while improving bothpower tool performance and handleability. In particular, as discussedbelow with reference to FIG. 5, the center of gravity of the system 100may be closer to the handle 104 than in existing electric pole-attachedtool systems, which may make it easier for the user to carry and controlthe system 100 than existing systems. In some embodiments, a morepowerful electric motor may be used as the electric motor 106 than waspreviously achievable, which may allow the system 100 to achieve betterpower performance than existing electric pole-attached tool systems (andapproaching, comparable to, or exceeding the power performance ofgas-powered pole-attached tool systems). In some embodiments, the system100 may weigh between 10 and 20 pounds. In preferred embodiments, thesystem 100 may weigh between 10 and 15 pounds. Longer and more complexdrivetrains may also be used. Additionally, positioning the electricmotor 106 proximate to the first end 110 a of the pole 110 allows thesystem 100 to achieve a smaller form factor at the end of the system 100closest to the power tool 114. This may make it easier for users tonegotiate the system 100 in tight spaces (e.g., between tree branches),and for the user to be able to clearly see and position the power tool114.

The motor/handle arrangement 102 may include a battery 122, which may beelectrically coupled to the electric motor 106. The battery 122 may be arechargeable battery, and may be removably coupled with a charger (notshown) to recharge. In some embodiments, the battery 122 may be aLithium ion battery or a NiCad battery. The voltage provided by thebattery 122 may be any suitable voltage (e.g., 20 volts). The amperageprovided by the battery 122 may be any suitable amperage (e.g., 4ampere-hours). In some embodiments, the battery 122 may provide at least20 ampere-hours of power at 40 volts.

In some embodiments, the system 100 may include an electrical cable (notshown) to couple the electric motor 106 to an energy source, such as anAC wall outlet (instead of or in addition to the battery 122). Thelength of the cable may vary depending on the environment in which thesystem 100 is to be used; in some embodiments, the cable may have alength of 100 feet or more.

In some embodiments, because the power tool 114 may be driven by theelectric motor 106, the system 100 may not include a liquid fuel tankand/or an engine that operates on liquid fuel (such as a gas motor).

The motor/handle arrangement 102 may include a switch 116. The switch116 may be electrically coupled to the electric motor 106, and may bedisposed proximate to the electric motor 106. The switch 116 may beoperable by a user of the system 100 to control actuation of the powertool 114. In some embodiments, the switch 116 may include one or morecontrols operable by a user. For example, the switch 116 may include aready/off switch, a trigger operable to commence actuation of the powertool 114, and/or one or more dials to adjust performance characteristicsof the system 100.

The motor/handle arrangement 102 may include a gear box 108. The gearbox 108 may include one or more cams, gears, or shafts mechanicallycoupled to the electric motor 106 and to the power tool 114 to convertthe motor power into actuation of the power tool 114. In someembodiments, the motor/handle arrangement 102 may not include the gearbox 108; instead, the gear box 108 may be disposed in a differentlocation (e.g., proximate to the second end 110 b of the pole 110) ornot included in the system 100. In alternative embodiments, a gear box108 may be replaced by a direct drive flexible cable, or other sucharrangement.

As noted above, the pole 110 may have an interior region 110 c. A drivemember 112 may be disposed within the interior region 110 c. The drivemember 112 may be mechanically coupled with the electric motor 106 andthe power tool 114 to transfer power generated by the electric motor 106to the power tool 114 to actuate the power tool 114. In someembodiments, the drive member 112 may include a chain drive. In someembodiments, the drive member 112 may include a belt drive. In someembodiments, the drive member may have a length greater than 20 inches.In some embodiments, the drive member may have a length greater than 40inches. In some embodiments, the drive member 112 may include anysuitable drive technology employed in existing gas or electricpole-attached tool systems. As the length and complexity of drive member112 increases, a battery 122 with greater power may be desirable.

The power tool 114 may be disposed proximate to the second end 110 b ofthe pole 110. The power tool 114 may include any suitable power tool. Insome embodiments, the power tool 114 may include a saw. The saw may be achain saw, which may include a bar and a chain with teeth (e.g., a ¼inch or ⅜ inch chain). The cutting dimensions of the saw may be 6inches, 8, inches, 10 inches, 12 inches, or 14 inches, for example. Inother examples, the power tool 114 may be a hedge trimmer, shaker,clipper, a rotating brush (e.g., to clean or remove moss or otherdebris), a drilling device, a pruner, a vibrating scraper, or other suchtool.

FIGS. 2-4 are schematic illustrations of various embodiments of thepole-attached power tool system 100 of FIG. 1. The pole-attached powertool systems depicted in FIGS. 2-4 may include any of the componentsdiscussed above with reference to the system 100 (FIG. 1). For ease ofillustration, only a small number of such components are shown in FIGS.2-4.

In FIG. 2, the pole-attached power tool system 200 may include thehandle 104, the electric motor 106, and the gear box 108, each disposedproximate to the first end 110 a of the pole 110. The power tool 114 maybe disposed proximate to the second end 110 b of the pole 110. As shown,the electric motor 106 may be disposed between the handle 104 and thegear box 108. The gear box 108 may be disposed closest to the power tool114 of any of the handle 104, the gear box 108, and the electric motor106. In some embodiments, the gear box 108 may not be included.

In FIG. 3, the pole-attached power tool system 300 may include thehandle 104, the electric motor 106, and the gear box 108, each disposedproximate to the first end 110 a of the pole 110. The power tool 114 maybe disposed proximate to the second end 110 b of the pole 110. As shown,the electric motor 106 and the gear box 108 may be disposed in aninterior region 132 a of a handle housing 132. In some embodiments, thegear box 108 may not be included.

In FIG. 4, the pole-attached power tool system 400 may include thehandle 104, the electric motor 106, and the gear box 108, each disposedproximate to the first end 110 a of the pole 110. The power tool 114 maybe disposed proximate to the second end 110 b of the pole 110. As shown,the electric motor 106 may be disposed in the interior region 132 a ofthe handle housing 132. The gear box 108 may be disposed between thehandle 104 and the power tool 114. In some embodiments, the gear box 108may not be included.

FIG. 5 depicts illustrative dimensions and center of gravity of anembodiment of the pole-attached power tool system 100 (FIG. 1). In FIG.5, the system 100 may include the handle 104, the electric motor 106,and the gear box 108, each disposed proximate to the first end 110 a ofthe pole 110. The power tool 114 may be disposed proximate to the secondend 110 b of the pole 110.

The center of gravity of the system 100, which generally represents thelocation in a particular direction of the average position of the weightor mass of the system 100, is represented by the arrow 506. In general,the center of gravity of the system 100 in the direction of thelongitudinal axis 130, cg, may be calculated in accordance with:

$\begin{matrix}{{{cg} = \frac{\int{x\; {\rho (x)}{x}}}{\int{{\rho (x)}{x}}}},} & (1)\end{matrix}$

where ρ(x) represents the density of the system 100 as a function of theposition x along the longitudinal axis 130. As shown, in someembodiments, the center of gravity 506 may be located between theelectric motor 106 and the power tool 114. In some embodiments, thecenter of gravity 506 may be located between the gear box 108 and thepower tool 114. In some embodiments, both the electric motor 106 and thegear box 108 may be located on one side of the center of gravity 506(along the longitudinal axis 130) and the power tool 114 may be locatedon the other side of the center of gravity 506.

The system 100 may have a first end 100 a proximate to the first end 110a of the pole 110, and a second end 100 b proximate to the second end110 b of the pole 110. The system 100 may have a longitudinal length 502measured between the first end 100 a and the second end 100 b parallelto the longitudinal axis 130 of the pole 110. The center of gravity 506may be located a distance 508 from the first end 100 a of the system100, and a distance 510 from the second end 100 b of the system 100.

In some embodiments, the center of gravity 506 may be located less thanapproximately ½ of the longitudinal length 502 from the first end 100 a;in other words, the ratio between the distance 508 and the longitudinallength 502 may be less than approximately ½. In preferred embodiments,the center of gravity may be located less than approximately ⅖, 3/10,7/20, or 13/40 of the longitudinal length 502 from the first end 100 a.

The system 100 may have a dimension 504, measured between an end 114 aof the power tool 114 closest to the first end 110 a of the pole 110 andan end 106 a of the electric motor 106 closest to the second end 110 bof the pole 110. In some embodiments, the dimension 504 may be greaterthan approximately 12 inches. In preferred embodiments, the dimension504 may be greater than approximately 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 inches. Inembodiments in which the pole 110 is reversibly extendable, thedimension 504 may change as the pole 110 is extended and retracted. Insuch embodiments, the above values for the dimension 504 may be appliedto any extended or retracted state of the pole 110 (e.g., theconfigurations depicted in FIGS. 7-8 and discussed below).

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the pole-attachedpower tool system 100 of FIG. 1. The pole-attached power tool systemdepicted in FIG. 6 may include any of the components discussed abovewith reference to the system 100 (FIG. 1). For ease of illustration,only a small number of such components are shown in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6, the pole-attached power tool system 600 may include a firsthandle 104 a, a second handle 104 b, the electric motor 106, and thebattery 122, each disposed proximate to the first end 110 a of the pole110. The first handle 104 a may be disposed between the battery 122 andthe electric motor 106. The second handle 104 b may be disposed betweenthe first handle 104 a and the second end 110 b of the pole 110. Theelectric motor 106 may be disposed between the first handle 104 a andthe second handle 104 b. The power tool 114 may be disposed proximate tothe second end 110 b of the pole 110. The drive member 112 may extendbetween the electric motor 106 and the power tool 114.

As discussed above, the length of the pole 110 may be reversiblyextendable. In particular, the pole may be adjustable between multipleconfigurations corresponding to different lengths of the pole. Thisadjustment may be continuous, discrete, or a combination of both. Insome embodiments, the length of the drive member between the electricmotor 106 and the power tool 114 in at least one configuration may begreater than 20 inches. In some embodiments, the length of the drivemember between the electric motor 106 and the power tool 114 in at leastone configuration may be greater than 40 inches.

FIGS. 7-8 depict illustrative dimensions and centers of gravity of anembodiment of the pole-attached power tool system 100 (e.g., theembodiment discussed above with reference to FIG. 6) in variousconfigurations. In particular, FIG. 7 illustrates a configuration inwhich the pole 110 is extended to a longer length, and FIG. 8illustrates a configuration in which the pole 110 is retracted to ashorter length. The pole-attached power tool system 100 may beadjustable between the configurations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (andbetween any of a number of other configurations in various embodiments).

In FIG. 7, the system 100 may include the handles 104 a and 104 b, theelectric motor 106, and the battery 122, each disposed proximate to thefirst end 110 a of the pole 110. The power tool 114 may be disposedproximate to the second end 110 b of the pole 110.

The center of gravity of the system 100 is represented by the arrow 706and may be calculated in accordance with Eq. 1, above. As shown, in someembodiments, the center of gravity 706 may be located between amid-point of the second handle 104 b (the mid-point indicated by thedotted line 124) and the second end 110 a of the pole 110. In someembodiments, the center of gravity 706 may be located within a distance708 of six inches of either side of the mid-point of the second handle104 b (as measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis 130 of thepole 110). In some embodiments, the center of gravity 706 may be locatedwithin a distance 708 of three inches of either side of the mid-point ofthe second handle 104 b. In some embodiments, the center of gravity 706may be located within a distance 708 of two inches of either side of themid-point of the second handle 104 b.

In FIG. 8, the system 100 may include the handles 104 a and 104 b, theelectric motor 106, and the battery 122, each disposed proximate to thefirst end 110 a of the pole 110. The power tool 114 may be disposedproximate to the second end 110 b of the pole 110. The center of gravityof the system 100 is represented by the arrow 806 and may be calculatedin accordance with Eq. 1, above. As shown, in some embodiments, thecenter of gravity 806 may be located between the first handle 104 a anda mid-point of the second handle 104 b (the mid-point indicated by thedotted line 124). In some embodiments, the center of gravity 806 may belocated within a distance 808 of six inches of either side of themid-point of the second handle 104 b (as measured in the direction ofthe longitudinal axis 130 of the pole 110). In some embodiments, thecenter of gravity 806 may be located within a distance 808 of threeinches of either side of the mid-point of the second handle 104 b. Insome embodiments, the center of gravity 806 may be located within adistance 808 of two inches of either side of the mid-point of the secondhandle 104 b.

Because the system 100 may adjusted between the configurationsillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the user may adjust the center of gravityof the system 100 to accommodate his or her handling preferences. Inparticular, when the center of gravity of the system 100 is locatedbetween the handles 104 a and 104 b (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8), the userwill generally apply an “upward” force on each of the handles 104 a and104 b to balance the system 100. When the center of gravity of thesystem 100 is located between the handle 104 b and the second end 110 bof the pole 110 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7), the user will generallyapply an “upward” force on the handle 104 b and a “downward” force onthe handle 104 a to balance the system 100. Users may wish to push“upward” or “downward” on the handle 104 a (e.g., in differentapplications), and thus may wish to adjust the center of gravity of thesystem 100. In some embodiments, one or more of the components of thesystem 100, instead of or in addition to the pole 110, may be adjustableto vary the center of gravity of the system 100 to suit a user'spreferences and the application at hand. For example, the battery 122may be mounted in a housing that is adjustably coupled to a handlehousing (not shown) and can be moved along the longitudinal axis 130(e.g., using a threaded track, not shown) to adjust the center ofgravity of the system 100.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional illustration of a portion 900 of anembodiment of the pole-attached power tool system 100 (FIG. 1). Theportion 900 illustrates an embodiment of the relative positions of afirst handle 104 a, a second handle 104 b, a handle housing 132, theelectric motor 106, the gear box 108, and the battery 122. FIG. 6 alsoillustrates the switch 116, which may be operable by a user to controlactuation of a power tool (not shown) disposed at the end of the pole110. Electrical connectors 618 (e.g., one or more cables) may couple theswitch 116, the electric motor 106 and the battery 122. A drive member112 may be coupled between the electric motor 106 (e.g., via the gearbox 108) and the power tool (not shown).

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 1000 for manufacturinga pole-attached power tool system (e.g., the system 100 of FIG. 1), inaccordance with some embodiments. It may be recognized that, while theoperations of the process 1000 (and all other processes disclosedherein) may be arranged in a particular order and illustrated once each,in various embodiments, one or more of the operations may be repeated,omitted or performed out of order. Any of the operations of the process1000 may be performed in accordance with any of the embodiments of thesystem 100 described herein.

The process 1000 may begin at the operation 1002, in which a pole may beprovided (e.g., the pole 110 of FIG. 1). The pole may have a first end,a second end, and an interior region.

At the operation 1004, a handle (e.g., the handle 104 of FIG. 1) may beprovided proximate to the first end of the pole.

At the operation 1006, an electric motor (e.g., the electric motor 106of FIG. 1) may be provided proximate to the first end of the pole.

At the operation 1008, a power tool (e.g., the power tool 114 of FIG. 1)may be provided proximate to the second end of the pole.

At the operation 1010, a drive member (e.g., the drive member 112 ofFIG. 1) may be provided within the interior region. The drive memberprovided at the operation 1010 may be mechanically coupled with theelectric motor (provided at the operation 1006) and the power tool(provided at the operation 1008) to transfer power generated by theelectric motor to the power tool.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 1100 for manufacturinga pole-attached power tool system (e.g., the system 100 of FIG. 1), inaccordance with some embodiments. Any of the operations of the process1100 may be performed in accordance with any of the embodiments of thesystem 100 described herein.

The process 1000 may begin at the operation 1102, in which a pole may beprovided (e.g., the pole 110 of FIG. 6). The pole may have a first end,a second end, and an interior region.

At the operation 1104, a first handle (e.g., the handle 104 a of FIG. 6)and a second handle (e.g., the handle 104 b of FIG. 6) may be providedproximate to the first end of the pole. The second handle may beprovided between the first handle and the second end of the pole.

At the operation 1106, an electric motor (e.g., the electric motor 106of FIG. 6) may be provided between the first and second handles.

At the operation 1108, a power tool (e.g., the power tool 114 of FIG. 6)may be provided proximate to the second end of the pole.

At the operation 1110, a drive member (e.g., the drive member 112 ofFIG. 6) may be provided within the interior region. The drive memberprovided at the operation 1110 may be mechanically coupled with theelectric motor (provided at the operation 1106) and the power tool(provided at the operation 1108) to transfer power generated by theelectric motor to the power tool.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a widevariety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementationscalculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for theembodiments shown and described without departing from the scope. Thosewith skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments may beimplemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intendedto cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussedherein.

1. A pole-attached power tool system, comprising: a pole having a firstend, a second end, and an interior region, wherein a longitudinal axisof the pole defines a longitudinal direction; a handle disposedproximate to the first end of the pole; a gear box disposed proximate tothe first end of the pole; an electric motor disposed proximate to thefirst end of the pole, wherein the electric motor is disposed betweenthe handle and the gearbox in the longitudinal direction, and whereinthe gearbox is disposed between the first end of the pole and the handlein the longitudinal direction; a power tool disposed proximate to thesecond end of the pole; and a drive member disposed within the interiorregion, the drive member mechanically coupled with the electric motorand the power tool to transfer power generated by the electric motor tothe power tool.
 2. The pole-attached power tool system of claim 1,wherein a center of gravity of the pole-attached power tool system islocated between the electric motor and the power tool in a direction ofthe longitudinal axis of the pole.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The pole-attachedpower tool system of claim 1, wherein a center of gravity of thepole-attached power tool system is located between the gear box and thepower tool in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the pole.
 5. Thepole-attached power tool system of claim 1, wherein the electric motoris disposed within an interior region of a handle housing, wherein thehandle housing includes the handle.
 6. The pole-attached power toolsystem of claim 1, further comprising: a switch, operable by a user ofthe pole-attached power tool system to control actuation of the powertool, disposed proximate to the electric motor.
 7. The pole-attachedpower tool system of claim 1, wherein the pole-attached power toolsystem has: a first end of the pole-attached power tool system proximateto the first end of the pole, a second end of the pole-attached powertool system proximate to the second end of the pole, a longitudinallength measured between the first and second ends of the pole-attachedpower tool system parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pole, and acenter of gravity located less than approximately ⅖ of the longitudinallength from the first end of the pole-attached power tool system.
 8. Thepole-attached power tool system of claim 7, wherein the center ofgravity is located less than approximately 7/20 of the longitudinallength from the first end of the pole-attached power tool system. 9.(canceled)
 10. The pole-attached power tool system of claim 1, whereinthe electric motor is an AC motor.
 11. The pole-attached power toolsystem of claim 1, wherein the power tool comprises a saw.
 12. Thepole-attached power tool system of claim 1, wherein the power tool has afirst end and a second end, the first end of the power tool is closer tothe first end of the pole than the second end of the power tool is tothe first end of the pole, the electric motor has a first end and asecond end, the first end of the electric motor is closer to the secondend of the pole than the second end of the electric motor is to thesecond end of the pole, and a dimension, measured between the first endof the power tool and the first end of the electric motor, is greaterthan approximately 20 inches.
 13. The pole-attached power tool system ofclaim 12, wherein the dimension is greater than approximately 40 inches.14. The pole-attached power tool system of claim 1, wherein thepole-attached power tool system does not comprise a liquid fuel tank.15. The pole-attached power tool system of claim 1, wherein the pole isreversibly extendable. 16-23. (canceled)
 24. The pole-attached powertool system of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises multiple regionsconfigured to be gripped by a user, wherein the multiple regions arespaced apart in the longitudinal direction.
 25. A method formanufacturing a pole-attached power tool system, comprising: providing ahandle proximate to a first end of a pole, wherein a longitudinal axisof the pole defines a longitudinal direction; providing a gearboxproximate to the first end of the pole; providing an electric motorproximate to the first end of the pole, wherein the electric motor isdisposed between the handle and the gearbox in the longitudinaldirection, and wherein the gearbox is disposed between the first end ofthe pole and the handle in the longitudinal direction; providing a powertool proximate to a second end of the pole; and providing a drive memberwithin an interior region of the pole, wherein the drive member ismechanically coupled with the electric motor and the power tool totransfer power generated by the electric motor to the power tool. 26-27.(canceled)
 28. The method of claim 25, wherein providing the electricmotor proximate to the first end of the pole comprises providing theelectric motor in an interior region of a handle housing, wherein thehandle housing includes the handle.
 29. The method of claim 25, whereina center of gravity of the power tool system is located between theelectric motor and the power tool.
 30. The method of claim 25, whereinthe power tool system has a first end proximate to the first end of thepole, a second end proximate to the second end of the pole, and alongitudinal length measured between the first end and the second end ofthe power tool system, and wherein a center of gravity of the power toolsystem is located less than approximately half of the longitudinallength from the first end of the power tool system.
 31. The method ofclaim 25, wherein the power tool and the electric motor are separated bya distance greater than approximately 12 inches.